Tag: phone compatability

I chose this workshop because I have spent so many years providing outreach to the senior community here in Northern Virginia. Sheila Adams of DeLand, Florida, gave a very interesting program with a personal touch to it.

Ms. Adams lost her hearing when she was a young adult, getting her first hearing aid at the age of 27. At 47, she received her first cochlear implant, and she got her second implant at the age of 55. Her career as a school teacher was filled with struggles caused by her hearing loss, and she talked about overcoming those challenges.

Ms. Adams spent some time talking about her own family whom she feels represents senior citizens in many ways. Her mother has been hard of hearing all her life, but very active because she has worn hearing aids and used assistive listening devices. She has been married to Ms. Adams’ father for 63 years, but he now has Parkinson’s disease which causes him to speak softly and makes it harder now for her mother to communicate with her father. Both have a slight memory loss. One of Ms. Adams’ aunts is 88, and can still hear. Another aunt is 90 and has glaucoma as well as macular degeneration. Just observing these and other aging family members, Ms. Adams sees a wide range of senior issues that impact socialization and communication.

Seniors were categorized as “young-old” (ages 55-75) and “old-old” (ages 75+) as Ms. Adams discussed successful aging. Successful aging depends on how well seniors accept change and loss. These can include physical, psychological, social, economic, and interpersonal. A lot will depend on the senior’s endurance and attitude as well as manual dexterity. An “old” senior, for instance, can’t go back to normal after bad sprains or broken bones. Those sprains become the new normal, and they have to accept that they need help, which is not easy for seniors who have been active and independent throughout their lives. Adapting to hearing loss is also difficult, especially when the senior has had a lot of other issues to contend with, whether they be physical or emotional, such as grieving over the death of friends. Sometimes, Ms. Adams has found in her own family that “one’s perception of health is a greater influencing factor than one’s actual health.”

How aging impacts hearing

The accumulation of noise over the years eventually takes its toll in the inner ear, causing age-related hearing loss. But there are other physical changes happening at the same time. There is often more and harder wax that accumulates and is increasingly difficult to remove. The ear canal narrows, and the sensitivity of the hair cells changes, often producing a greater sensitivity to noise. With these changes, there is a slowing of the message-carrying ability of the ear which can produce changes in perception. Cognitive changes include a shortened attention span as well as fatigue.

Quality of life

Staying connected is a huge party of successful aging, maintaining the relationships that are important to seniors. Having something meaningful to do, a purposeful activity, is also important, as well as have opportunities for intellectual growth and learning. Recreation and entertainment are a part of staying connected, and Ms. Adams remarked how ironic it is to have more time in retirement but also more limitations in our abilities to do things. Finally, a senior’s quality of life is also enhanced by spiritual growth and as well as a sense of hope, of having some positive prospects. Hearing loss can render all of these desired aspects of life very challenging.

Factors affecting how a senior handles hearing loss

The temperament and personality of a senior will play a large part in determining how well he or she handles hearing loss. Someone who is passive and has never had a lot of self-confidence is likely to become more quickly withdrawn than someone who is an assertive, or even aggressive, type of individual. The perception of need is also important, accepting that it’s okay to get help, that hearing loss does not make him weak or “less than”. But some seniors are content with their situations, their connections, and therefore are in no hurry to get hearing aids or undertake any other self-help types of activities to compensate for their hearing loss. It is important for seniors to understand the impact that their hearing loss has on others as well, on their families and friends who can feel very frustrated when trying to communicate too. A senior’s “knowledge base” is another factor that contributes to how he or she will handle a hearing loss. There is a lot of misinformation about hearing aids and cochlear implants which could shape a senior’s attitude towards getting help. An understanding of options is important, and whether or not there are resources within their communities.

Solutions

There are 4 A’s to consider: Amplification, Advocacy, Assistive listening devices, and Alternatives. Seniors need to know the sources for financial assistance for hearing aids if they need it, and audiologists need to be more vigilant and honest in the way they fit seniors for hearing aids. Seniors should also be kept up to date on hearing resources available in theatres and movies, how to use captioning on television, how to develop better communication strategies with their families and friends.

If you would like to e-chat with Sheila Adams about the impact of hearing loss on seniors, you can reach her at Sheila_ci777@yahoo.com.

It appears that the NYC police department has a kind of “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy toward hearing aid wearers. According to the New York Times, Paul J. Browne, the department’s chief spokesman, said it was “not actively looking to see if people have hearing aids.” He does admit that the department has told officers to stop wearing the hearing aids once found. According to Dan Carione, one of the two officers who were forced to retire, the department is sending a message that if you step forward and make your use of hearing aids known, “it will end your career.”

Mr. Carione and his attorneys contacted HLAA soon after he learned the department’s policy last fall. HLAA has offered continuing support and information about hearing loss and employment issues as he works toward reinstatement.

2. Response to the NY Times article by HLAA Executive Director Brenda Battat , published June 28, 2011

Re “Ban on Hearing Aids is Forcing Out Veteran New York City Police Officers” (news article, June 19):

Hearing Loss is a health issue that has long been misunderstood and stigmatized in our society. Banning the use of hearing aids that help police officers to function at their best is inconceivable and perpetuates the myths and stereotypes that are still prevalent about hearing loss today.

More important, it puts both the police officer and the public at risk when those who have admitted their hearing loss, sought treatment for it, and can function well with a hearing aid are forced to hide their hearing loss for fear of losing their jobs.

For more than twenty years the Americans with Disabilities Act has provided equal opportunity in the workplace. Banning young police officers from using the excellent hearing aids available today and forcing older police officers with hearing aids to retire is discriminating. As long as they can pass the hearing test with their hearing aids in they should be allowed to use them on the job.

Brenda Battat,

Bethesda, MD, June 21, 2011

The writer is the executive director of Hearing Loss Association of America, a national membership organization of and for people with hearing loss.

Hearing Aids: What You Should Know Before You Buy!

See your doctor first unless you have had a physical within the last 6 months. Some hearing aid specialists will ask you to sign a medical waiver in order to speed up the process of hearing aid sales. This is not in your best interest.

Check out the business selling hearing aids by contacting your local Better Business Bureau, consumer protection agency, or state attorney general.

Know the difference between Audiologists and hearing aid dealers! Today, Audiologists require an Au.D., Doctor of Audiology, to certify. (This is NOT an M.D., however!). Most have at least a Masters in Audiology, and they provide diagnostic audiological services. They also have training in areas such as listening/communication strategies and the perception of sound. Hearing aid dealers become experts in hearing aid technology through numerous courses and apprenticeships with other hearing aid dealers. Both are in the business of selling hearing aids. What matters most is that the professional you choose is knowledgeable, ethical and provides a patient-driven service rather than a sales-driven service.

Take someone with you when you go for your hearing aid evaluation who will take notes for you. The results of the hearing test and the options for hearing aids can be confusing.

Beware of ‘the deal’! If the Audiologist or dealer tries to pressure you with promises like '10%' discount’, ‘$1,000 off’, ‘a lifetime of free follow-up visits’, ‘a lifetime of free batteries’, etc., this is a good indication that he or she is sales-driven. Many are under contract to sell a certain number of hearing aids a year, putting their own interests ahead of yours.

Take advantage of the 30 day trial period. In Virginia, you can return the hearing aids at the end of that time if you are not happy with them.

Ask about fees for returning the aids. Each dispenser has his or her own business policies regarding the fee for returning them – it can be anywhere from 4% to 20% of the cost of the hearing aid.

Please remember:

Hearing aids do NOT stop hearing loss.

Hearing aids will NOT restore your hearing to normal.

ALL Audiologists and dealers will provide free hearing aid adjustments during the trial period.

There is NO BEST HEARING AID because everyone’s hearing loss is different; what works for one person might not work for someone else.

You own your audiogram, be sure your specialist gives it to you.

A hearing aid should fit comfortably and not whistle.

No hearing aid cuts out background noise, but it can be made more tolerable.

Ask about the telecoil - is it appropriate for your hearing loss. The telecoil is a small magnetic coil inside the hearing aid that bypasses background noise when you are using the telephone or an assistive listening device. It is a very valuable feature and you can activate it with the push of a button.

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